Treadle circuit



Patented June 25, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 China.

This inventlon relates to treadle circults. It ls particularly directed to a multl-swltch treadle adapbed to be embedded in a. roadway and traversed by vehicles, and a circuit controlled by 5 the actuation df the treadle switches by vehicle wheels rolling over the treadle, to operate counters for registering the vehicle axles.

An object of thls invention is to provide a treadle circuit of the character described, hav- 1U Ing means to count axles 015 vehicles passing over the treadle in one dlrection on one counter, and to -count axles of vehicles passing over the treadle in the reverse dlrection on another counter, the circuit being so arranged as to re- 35 spond to the rolling action of the vehicle wheels.

Yet another object cf this invention is to prov1de a circuit of the character described, So arranged as to prevent counting if crosslng of the treadle is not completed in either direction,

20 means being further provided for establishing the direction of travel by locking out the counter for one direCtion upon rolling of a wheel over the treadle in an opposite direction, the arrangement being such furthermore to prevent double 25 counts by the left and right wheels on a slngle axle when cross'ing the treadle at an angle.

Still another object of this invention is to provlde a circuit o! the charauter described, which shall be relatively lnexpensive to manu- 30 facture, positive in operation, and yet practical and efllcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects cf this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the 5 features 01' construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claim.

40 In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one 01 the various possible illustrative embodlments of 'this invention,

The single flgure of the drawing is a wiring diagram of the treadle circuit embodying the 45 invention.

Reterring noW in detail to the drawing, I deslgnates a treadle clrcuit embodying the invention for a multi-switch treadle II. The treadle II may be 01 any suitable constructlon,

50 for example, as shown in my copending applicatlon, Serlal N0. 635,727, filed October 1, 1932. Said treadle comprises a. plurality o! pairs of contacts Ia, Ib, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b each 01' which contacts may be a long metallic contact 55 strip. Bach palr o1 contacts comprises a switch.

The switches belng designated by numerals I, 2, 3 and 4 in the drawing. The pairs of contacts in the treadle are disposed parallel to one another, side by side in parallel planes.

The treadle is adapted to be embedded or in- 5 stalled on a roadway transversely of the direction of vehicular travel, so that the vehicles move perpendicularly to the contact strips and the switches I, 2, 3 and 4 are so spaced, that as a wheel traverses the treadle, the switches will be made in sequence in the order 015 swltch l alone, switches I and 2 concurrently, switches 2 and 3 concurrently, switches 3 and 4 concurrently, and switch 4 alone. A wheel rolling in the opposite direction will make the switches in the reverse sequential order of switch 4 alone, switches 4 and 3 concurrently, switches 3 and 2 concurrently, switches 2 and I concurrently, and switch I alone.

The circuit is arranged to count axles of vehicles passing over the treadle in one direction on one counter FI2, and to count the axles of vehicles passing over the treadle on another counter BI2.

The circuit comprises two similar parts, 2 similarly connected to the switches I, 2, 3 and 4 and to the plus and minus leads I4 and 'I5, so thal: one part operates when the vehicle traverses the treadle in one direction and the other part operates when the vehicle traverse the treadle in an opposite direction. T0 this end, the circuit comprises a pair of similar relays FI and BI. Relay FI has two windings, designated FI'I and FI8.

The relay FI when energized, is adapted to move three switch arms FI9, F20 and F2I. The switch arm Fl9 is normally open when the relay FI is not energized. The switch arms F20 and F2l are normally in contact with contacts F22 and F23 when relay FI is not energized. When 40 said relay is energized, said switch arms F20 and F2I move into engagement with contacts F24 and F25, respectively. There is further provided a fixed contact F26, normally in engagement with a switch arm F21. When relay FI is energized, switch arm FI9 is moved into engagement with switch arm F21, which is thereby moved out o1. engagement with respect to the contact F25. Contact between switch arms FI9, F21 is made before contact between switch arms F21 and fixed contact F26 is broken.

When energized, relay B! is adapted to move switch arms BIS, B20 and B2I. Switch arm BIS is normally open, but when relay Bl is energized, switch arm BIS is moved into en- 15 gagement: with a switch arm B21, which in turn is thereafter moved out of engagement with respect to flxed contact B26. Switch arms B and B2I are normally in engagement with contacts B22 and B23, buI; when relay BI ls energized, said switch arms move into engagement with contacts B24 and B25.

Each part of the circuit has a second relay marked F2 and B2, respectively. Relay F2 has two windings, designated by numerals F and F3I. Relay B2 likewise. has two windlngs, designated by numerals B30 and B3I.

Relay F2 controls three switch arms designated by numerals F32, F33 and F34, all normally open, but adapted to move into engagement with contacts F35, F36 and F31, when relay F2 is energized.

Relay B2 likewise controls three switch arms designated by numerals B32, B33 and B34, normally open, and adapted to be moved into engagement with fixed contacts B35, B36 and B31,

- lead I4.

III)

when relay B2 is energized.

Counter FI2 comprises a relay F39 provided with a winding F40. When energized, relay F39 is adapted to move a switch arm F4I from fixed contact F42 to fixed contact F43.

Counter BI2 comprises a relay B39 provided with a single winding B40. When energized, relay B39 is adapted to move switch arm B4I from fixed contact B42 to flxed contact B43.

There is further provided a single cuIz-off relay 45 provided with a single winding 46. When encrgized, relay 45 is adapted to open switch arm 41, normally in engagement with fixed contact 46.

The plus lead I4 is connected by wlres and 5I to contacts Ia and 4b of switches I and 4, respectively. The minus lead I5 is connected by wire 52 to contacts 2b and 3a.

One side of winding FI1 is connected by wire 54 to contact 2a. The other side cf said winding is connected by wire 55 to switch arm F21. One side of winding FI8 ls connected by wire 56 to contact 3b. The other side of winding FI6 is c-onnected by wire 51 to contact F25. Winding FI6 is also connected by wire 56 to one side of winding F30. The other side of winding F30 is connected by wire 59 to fixed contact F24. One side of winding F3I is connected by wire 60 to plus lead I4. The other side of winding F3I is connected by wire 62 to switch arm F32.

Switch arm FI 9 is connected by wire 63 to plus Switch arm F20 is connected by wire 64 to contact 4a. Switc-h arm F2I is connccted by wire 65 I;o plus lead I4. Switch arm F33 is connected by wire 66 to fixed contact F26, and by wire 61 to contact B22. Switch arm F34 is connected by wire 68 to flxed contact F23. Fixed contact F22 is connected by wires B66, B61 to fixed contact B26 and switch arm B33. Contact F36 is connected by wire 10 to contact F42. Contact F31 is connected by wire 1I to contact F43, and by wire 12 to one side 01' the winding F40. The other side 01 the wlnding F40 is conn cted by wire 13 to the minus lead I5. One side 01' the winding 46 is connected by wire 14 to the minus lead I5. The other side cf wlndlng 46 is counected by wire 15 to switch arm 4I. Switch arm 41 is connected by wire 16 to minus lead I5. Flxed contact 46 is connected by wires 11 1:0 the flxed contacts F35 and B35.

One side of the winding BI1 is connected by wire 60 to contact 3b. The other side of winding BI1 is connected by wire B55 to switch arm B21. One side of winding BI6 ls connected by wire 6I to contact 2a. The other side of winding BI8 is connected by wire B51 to fixed contact B25. One side of winding B30 is connected by wire B59 t0 contact B24. The other side of winding B30 is connected by wire B56 to contact 2a. One side of winding B3I is connected by wire 60 to plus lead I4. The other side cf winding B3I is connected by wire B62 to switch arm B32.

Switch arm BI9 is connected by wire B63 to plus lead I4. Switch arm B20 is connected by wire 83 to contact Ib. Switch arm 2I is counected by wire B65 to plus lead I4. Switch arm B34 is connected by wire B66 I:o fixed contact B23. Fixed contacts B36 and B42 are connected by wire B10. Contact B31 is connected by wire BII to Contact B43, and by wire B12 to one side of the winding B40. The other side of the winding B40 is connected by wire B13 to minus lead I5. Switch arm B4I is connected by wire B15 to wire 15.

The operation of the circuit will now be described when a vshicle passes over the treadle' from left to right:

When the first and second switches I and 2 are closed, relay FI ls energized through winding FI1, the circuit through said winding beim; closed through minus lead I5 wire 52, switch 2, wire 54, winding FI1, wire 55, switch arm F21, wire 61, switch arm B20, wire 83, switch I, wire 5I and plus lead I4. As the wheel moves forward, the first switch opens, but the relay FI is held operated through minus lead I5 wire 52, switch 2, wire 54, winding FI1, wire 55, switch arms F21 and FI9, wire 63 and plus lead I4. When switch member 3 closes, the holding of FI relay is transferred to winding FI6 through minus lead I5 switch 3, wire 56, winding FI8, wire 51, switch F2I, wire 65 and plus lead I4. Thus, when the second switch is open, the relay FI will not release. As the last switch is closed, relay F2 operates on winding F30, through plus lead I4, switch 4, wire 64, switch arm F20, wire 59, winding F30, wire 58, switch 3 and minus lead I5. After F2 relay is energized, it holds under the control of the cut-off relay 45, the circuil: passing from plus lead I 4, wire 60, winding F3I, wire 62, switch arm F32, wire 11, switch arm 41, wire 16, and minus lead I5. When the vehicle leaves the I:hird switch, relay FI releases, dropping switch arms FI9, F20 and F2I, and closing the circuit for actuating forward counter F39, the circuit passing through plus lead I4, wire 65, switch arm F2I, wire 68, switch arm F34, wire 1I, winding F40, wire 13 and minus lead I5. As soon as the counter operates and closes its contact, the cutofi relay 45 operates and opens the holding circuit for the relay F2.

The cut-ofl. relay is energized through minus lead I5 wire 14, winding 46, wire 15, switch arm 4I, wire 1I, switch arm F34, wire 68, switch arm 2I and-plus lead I4. Upon energizing the eilt-0115 relay, the switch arm 41 is pulled down, away from fixed contact 46 break the circuit through winding F3I permitting the switch arms F32, F33 and F34 to drop and breaking the circuit through the forward counter F39 and in turn the cut-ofi relay 45.

The functlon of the cut-off relay is to prevent false counts should the vehicle wheels rock back and forth on the treadle or only partially cross the treadle and then back ofi. For example, assume the forward moti0n of the wheel be incompleted, and the wheel reversed after the fourth switch 4, has been closed, but before the third switch 3, has been broken. In this case,

the FI and F2 relays have operated and will remain operated during the reverse motion, until the wheel closes the treadle switches normally made first. The cut-off relay 45 is then operated which ca.uses the F2 relay to release. The FI relay will be released, when switch 2 opens, as the wheel rolls back in the reverse direction. It Will be seen that the counter has not been operated under this condition, since the FI relay must be in released positi'on with the F2 relay in operated condition in order for a count to be registered.

It will now be understood that the sequential operation of the switches I, 2, 3 and 4 in the above order will cause a sequential operation of the relays FI, F2 in the order of FI alone, then FI and F2 concurrently, and then F2 a1one. The forward counter FI2 cannot be actuated except when the relays FI and F2 are actuated in the order of the first alone, then both concurrently, and then the last alone. The same is true for the backward counter, which is only actuated when the relays BI and B2 are actuated in the order of BI alone, then BI and B2 concurrently, ancl then B2 alone. The operation of the relays BI and B2 in the sequence described above can only occur when the switches 4, 3, 2 and I are actuated in the sequence of 4 alone, then 4 and 3 concurrently, then 3 and 2 concurrently, then 2 and I concurrently, and then I alone.

When a wheel traverses the treadle from right to left, the backward counter B39 is operated in exactly the same manner as the forward counter is operated when the wheel rolled over the treadle from left to right. The counts are registered 011 the B39 counter in the same manner as described for forward counts, except that rela.ys Bl and B2 function instead of the FI and F2 relays.

It will now be understood that my improved system counts forwardly moving axles on one counter and reversely moving axles on another counter. The counts will only respond 150 the rolling action of wheels. If a person steps or walks on the treadle there will be no count, as the treadle is foot-proofed. The switches must be made in the predetermined sequence described above, otherwise, there can be no count.

Foot proofing is obtained by using more than two elongated parallel switches in the treadle. When a person steps on the treadle he may actuate a. swltch with the heel 0f bis foot and another switch with the sole of bis foot. By using more than two switches and spacing said switches so that the distance between them is less than the distance between the heel and sole of a shoe, a. person stepping on said treadle will not actuate one of the switches. I-Iowever, a wheel rolling over the treadle will actuate all of the switches successlvely 8.lld adjacent switches concurrently. Thus, with this type of construction a high degree ot' accuracy is obtained for counting vehicles because unintentional counts are not likely to be obtained by casual pedestrians walking on the treadle.

In my improved clrcult, means is provided for establishlng the dlrection of travel whereby a. counter for one direction is locked out when the wheel traverses the treadle in an opposite direction. When the vehicle travels from left to right, relay FI is energized when switches I and 2 are closed. When relay FI is energized, switch arm F23 moves up Irom contact F22 to contact F24,

and breaks the circuit through the winding BIT of the relay BI through switches 3 and 4. When the wheel closes switches 3 and 4, relay BI will not be energized. Since the relay BI must be energized before B2 is energized, and since relay B2 must be energized before the backward counter BI2 will operate, actuation of said backward counter is prevented when a wheel rol1s forwardly over the treadle.

When a wheel rolls in the backward direction, relay BI will be energized upon closing of switches 4 and 3 to lift the switch arm B20 and break the circuit for the winding FI'I of the relay FI through switches 2 and I.

Since the treadle unit is adapted 120 be so disposed in the roadway tha't the switches -I 2, 3, 4, are substantially at right angles to the normal direction of vehicular travel, any of said switches is normally contacted at substantially the same instant by all of the wheels common to one axle. If, however, a vehicle should cross at an angle which is not substantially perpendicular to the contact strips, one wheel on an axle will contact a switch of the treadle in advance of a second wheel on the same axle. The angle of crossing may be such as to cause double actuation of all the switches, in which case the second sequence of actuations caused by the retarded wheel is intermingled with the first sequence of actuations caused by the more advanced wheel.

It will furthermore now be understood that Within limits, double counts due to double actuation of the switches by the wheels on one axle, is prevented when a vehicle crosses the treadle at an angle, the circuit being so arranged that when a vehicle moves forwardly over the treadle at an angle, one wheel would have to clear switch 3 before the other wheel on the same axle closes switch I, in order to get a double count. If the second wheel closes switch I before the more advanced wheel clears switch 3 there is no double count.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might; be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is 120 be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

In combination with a multi-switch treadle adapted to be installed on a. roadway transverse of the direction of the vehicular travel, ancl comprising a set of more than two parallel switches disposed side by side, and adapted to be actuated sequentially when a wheel of a. vehicle traverses the treadle, a forward counter and a backward counter, anti a. circuit connecting both counters with the above mentioned set of switches, including means to count on the forward counter, when said switches are closed sequentially in one direction, and to count on the backward counter, when the same switches are actuated sequentially in an opposite direction, and said circuit having means to make a count on one of said counters, only upon actuation of more than two of seid switches, and on the other counter only upon the same switches being actuated.

BENJAMIN COOPER. 

